Somerset County Sheriff's Office

06/02/2026

This week we are observing National Correctional Officers Week. This recognition was established in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan. It is important to acknowledge and show our appreciation for a demanding job that can, at times, be dangerous. The following individuals were presented with awards as voted on by their peers: Corrections Officer Alysia Wilson – Corrections Officer of the Year; Sergeant Scott Libby – Supervisor of the Year; Betsy Richards, Care Coordinator for Substance Use Disorder – Citizen Award; and Karen Blodgett – Appreciation Award. Congratulations to each recipient. Your awards are well deserved. Sheriff Lancaster

Pictured below (L to R): Sergeant Scott Libby, Betsy Richards, Karen Blodgett, and Corrections Officer Alysia Wilson. Also pictured: Sheriff Dale P. Lancaster, County Administrator Tim Curtis, and Major Matt Magnusson

05/19/2026

On Monday, May 18, 2026, at approximately 11:28 am, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division executed a drug search warrant on Madison Avenue in Madison. A motor vehicle, which was being operated by Griffin Patchell of Madison, was stopped and searched. This has been an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Division regarding illegal drugs allegedly being sold in and around the Madison area. The search warrant was executed by Sheriff’s Office Detectives.

During the search of the motor vehicle, approximately 10 grams of suspected fentanyl, a set of digital scales, a trace amount of co***ne, and illegal drug related documentation was seized. The alleged seized drugs have an approximate street value of $1,000.00.

Griffin Patchell, age 27, of Madison, was charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs (Class A). Patchell’s initial Court date is set for September 9, 2026, at 8:30 am, at the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.

Additional charges may be forthcoming once the case has been reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office.

05/14/2026

On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Deputies responded to multiple reports of motor vehicle break-ins throughout Madison. Two residents also reported broken windows in their homes. The initial investigation suggested the incidents were likely committed by Juveniles.

On Monday, May 11, 2026, Deputy Michael Pike initiated a follow-up investigation. Through several leads, multiple Juveniles were identified. As a result of the investigation, Deputy Pike charged five Juveniles with Burglary, Theft, Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, and Criminal Mischief. The Juveniles involved range in age from 13 to 16. The cases will be forwarded to the Juvenile Community Corrections Officer. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming once the case has been reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office.

Sheriff Lancaster is asking Madison residents who believe their vehicle may have been entered to contact the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office to file a report.

05/05/2026

If you are like Chief Deputy Mitchell and received this Final Enforcement Notice requiring you to appear in the Cumberland County District Court tomorrow, IT IS A SCAM! DO NOT scan the QR code at the bottom. Notice Chief Deputy Mitchell's name does not appear on this Notice. The Clerk of the Cumberland County District Court is NOT R. Martinez. And, Me. Rev. Stat. tit 29-A Section 2601 pertains to the appointment and term of municipal officers, NOT traffic violations. Sheriff Lancaster

04/30/2026

Last week, School Resource Officer Deputy Mike Pike attended the annual Heroes and Helpers event at the Madison Public Library. Deputy Pike read the book Fox in Socks to the children. The event is sponsored by KVCAP and the Madison Public Library in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Sheriff Lancaster

04/24/2026

EOW 4-25-2018

04/17/2026

04/15/2026

On Monday, April 13, 2026 at approximately 11:00 pm, Deputy Allen Jones was at the Circle K in Canaan when he observed a female he knew to be Shania Tripp, age 28, formerly of St. Albans, get into the passenger side of a motor vehicle. Deputy Jones was aware that Tripp is currently on probation and that there was an active warrant of arrest for Tripp. Deputy Jones observed that the motor vehicle had an expired inspection sticker, so he conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle on Easy Street in Canaan. One of Tripp’s conditions of probation is that she submit to random search and testing for illegal drugs. Deputy Jones arrested Tripp on the active warrant, and upon conducting a search of her belongings, found 86.756 grams of crack co***ne. Tripp told Deputy Jones she was concealing Fentanyl on her person.

The driver of the motor vehicle, Krista Robinson, age 42, of St. Albans, was also searched. As a result of Deputy Jones’ interaction with Robinson, Deputy Jones located a large quantity of drugs that were discarded on the ground on the passenger’s side of the vehicle that were not there when Tripp exited the vehicle.

A total of 114 grams of crack co***ne and 8.763 grams of Fentanyl were seized.

Shania Tripp was arrested on the active warrant and charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs (Class A), Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs (Class B), and Violation of Conditions of Release (Class E). Tripp is being held at the Somerset County Jail without bail on a probation hold. Tripp’s initial court appearance is scheduled for June 3, 2026 at 8:30 am in the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court

Krista Robinson was arrested and charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs (Class B), Falsifying Physical Evidence (Class D), and Unlawful Possession of Scheduled Drugs (Class D). Robinson is being held at the Somerset County Jail. Bail has been set at $25,000 cash. Robinson’s initial court appearance is scheduled for June 3, 2026 at 8:30 am in the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.

Additional criminal charges may be forthcoming once the cases are reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office. Sheriff Lancaster